1 Vignette 2012 THE vignette VOLUME 51 ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL A BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART SCHOOL 145 PLAINFIELD AVENUE METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY 08840 Contents Contents Title Author/Artist Page Title Author/Artist Page Vignette Extras 4 Varsity Nicholas Accardi ‘12 39 Editorial Nicholas Palmieri ‘12 & A Note on Life Matthew Dezenzo ‘12 40 Michael Palughi ‘12 5 Life’s a Game John Tluchowski ‘12 41 The Pen is Mightier Anthony Lubrano ‘12 6-7 Unaccepted by You Miles Williams ‘15 42 Write On! Nicholas Palmieri ‘12 7 Clear Vision Michael Thomas ‘13 43 The White Page Vincent Laudicina ‘12 8-9 Catch of the Day Gregory Burton ‘15 44-45 Bright Idea Kyle Rivera ‘13 9 Winter at the Marina Joseph Wutkowski ‘12 45 The Thoughts of a Swimmer Michael Mount ‘13 10 A River of Kindness Karim Elmorshedy ‘12 46 Watching the Waves Roll In Joseph Wutkowski ‘12 11 Waterfall Joseph Wutkowski ‘12 47 The Sunset Antoine Haddad ‘14 12 Cut Calvin Mahony ‘14 48 Sunset on the Bay John Selesky ‘14 13 Eye of the Beholder Michael Wilbert ‘13 49 Twilight Isaiah Todman ‘15 14 Inspiration Michael Mount ‘13 50 Calm After the Storm Neel Jha ‘14 15 Stepping Stones Edwin Gano ‘13 51 Our Country First Alejandro Sheppard ‘15 16-17 Hope’s Plead Nicholas C. Morisi ‘14 52 And the Banner Yet Waves Michael D’Ambrosio ‘12 17 After Sunset John Selesky ‘14 53 The Gates Matthew Dezenzo ‘12 18 A Soldier’s Work Joseph Farley ‘14 54 The Gates Dr. Martine Gubernat 19 St. Joe’s Spirit Sean Puzzo ‘13 55 Blank Screen Andrew Meisenbacher ‘14 20 The Farmer and the Fox Nicholas Lurie ‘14 56 Ignored Timothy Li ‘14 21 Seasons Change Michael D’Ambrosio ‘12 57 Rebel Song William Weisenhorn ‘12 22 The Great Storyteller Karanveer Johal ‘14 58 Look Up Edwin Gano ‘13 23 What Comes Around Brian Rafano ‘13 59 My Last Day Brendan Aker ‘12 24-25 Did I Do It? Anthony Lubrano ‘12 60 Walking Alone Joseph Wutkowski ‘12 25 Squirrel John Fischer ‘13 61 Procrastination Liam Formisano ‘15 26 You Are My Greatest Hour Mr. Craig R. Martin 62-63 Hiding John Selesky ‘14 27 Success Terence Coelho ‘14 64 Man’s Destroyer Dylan Oelkers ‘14 28-29 Grow John Selesky ‘14 65 Insect on a Leaf John Selesky, ‘14 29 Moon Runner and the The Sea Jonathan Frey, ‘14 30 Silver Deer Stephan Kozub ‘15 66-67 Shell on the Beach John Selesky, ‘14 31 The Distant Moon Neel Jha ‘14 67 Island X Zachary Condon ‘14 32-33 The Seven Patients Michael Thorsen ‘12 68-69 Black Hawk Helicopter John Fischer ‘13 33 Baby Blanket Michael Thomas ‘13 69 He Who Is An American Alejandro Julian Sotillo ‘14 34-35 The Origin of Life Hanish Polavarapu ‘12 70 Bald Eagle John Fischer ‘13 35 Million Dollar View John Selesky ‘14 71 A Lucent Prison Kyle Terracciano ‘14 36 Twelve Years for Twelve Tears Danver Quintin ‘14 72 Locks of Love at Notre Dame John Fischer ‘13 37 Promenade dans la Champagne Edwin Gano ‘13 73 The Batter’s Box Sean Quigley, ‘14 38-39 The Sounds of Sleep Gregory Burton ‘15 74-75 2 Vignette 2012 Vignette 2012 3 Contents Editorial Title Author/Artist Page Throughout history, humanity has endeavored to express itself. From paintings to literature, music to mythology, humans have sought to Reflection Joseph Wutkowski ‘12 75 record their accomplishments and values. Technology has advanced and Isabella At Sunrise Mr. Sal Ascolese 76-77 made it easier to communicate across the globe, allowing human creations The 12 Tones of Music are to be shared around the planet. As we venture even further abroad, into the Key to My Life Mr. Sal Ascolese 78 the vastness of space, our art will become more and more important as a University of Notre Dame record of our past and expressions of our hopes for the future. Basilica John Fischer ‘13 79 In the modern world, expression is more important than ever. MEdia? Isn’t it THEIRdia? Dylan Bonanno ‘14 80 People across the globe are realizing this and acting out to show the world Smile Edwin Gano ‘13 81 how they feel and think. The many revolutions in the Middle East over the 212 Michael Syslo ‘12 82 past year have shown how important independence and freedom are to #5 Alexander Riviere ‘13 83 everyone. Dictators have been toppled and tyrants overthrown at the will Winter Soldier’s Diary Brendan Bucciarelli ‘13 84-85 of the people. People have taken their futures in their own hands, refusing Fallen Leaf Neel Jha ‘14 85 to be controlled by others. This spirit of freedom will become more and Forgotten Composers Agustin Zavala ‘14 86 more important in the future as humanity grows and expands. Waiting For Me Agustin Zavala ‘14 87 This year’s Vignette has been inspired by these events and their Resurgence Dr. Martine Gubernat 88 effects on St. Joe’s students. As we go forward into the world, we must A Seabird’s Flight never forget our past but must also look ahead to our future. The pieces After Sunset John Selesky ‘14 89 in the Vignette are our legacy, a record of our thoughts and values that we Policy & Dedication 90 pass on to another generation. Staff & Colophon 91 We would now like to present this year’s student created Vignette. Candles in Lyon Ms. Cristina Nicolau 92 Nicholas Palmieri ‘12 Michael Palughi ‘12 Vignette Extras Please scan the QR code on the left to view additional Vignette pieces, including videos and photographs. 4 Vignette 2012 Vignette 2012 35 The Pen is Mightier When one hears the word sword, the initial connotation that The American Revolution is another instance where words motivated comes to mind is war. A sword is a symbol of power, fear, destruction, the actions of many people. The irony of the Revolution is how the English sword and force. There is no doubt that those things can influence people but enabled the American pen to become mightier. The English coerced the Ameri- when juxtaposed with the pen, I feel that the sword pales in comparison. cans into compliance with British law, and the colonists’ anger over this treatment The basis of communication is words, and the power behind communica- forced them to take a stand. The words of Thomas Paine and Samuel Adams tion is infinite. persuaded the colonists to band together and revolt against the strongest military Words can sell, they can hurt, they can pity, and they can love. in the world. The colonists knew their chance of victory was small, yet the words Words can be the cause of great agony, yet they can also be the cause of of Paine and Adams, in addition to the words of the authors of the Declaration of great joy. For example, bullies rely on the power of words to intimidate Independence, inspired them to risk their lives for life, liberty, and the pursuit of their victims. Malicious phrases attacking one’s appearance or ideas can happiness. have a dramatic effect on the person’s self-esteem. Each time the bully The power of the pen is unlimited; it transcends the physical realm in attacks the victim, his/her self-esteem deteriorates, causing sadness and which it is used. Words initiate emotional responses from people and can create an anger. By the same token, people’s words can provide strength, support, atmosphere in which people’s minds are filled with inspiration and determination. and confidence. One person’s kind words to another can put a smile on a The pen educates and influences people so their hearts and souls are in agreement, person’s face and instill self-confidence that was not there before. whereas the sword only intimidates them into submission. The sword prays on The longevity of words and phrases from throughout history has weakness and frailty, but the pen thrives on passion and conviction. had a profound impact on people’s lives. The writings in numerous re- ligious texts such as the Bible and Torah to this day are still studied and Anthony Lubrano ‘12 provide guidance for millions of people. Though those books were writ- 1st place senior nonfiction ten thousands of years ago, their messages are so strong that in certain areas of the world they often lead to conflict and the use of the sword. A vast majority of the world’s people associates themselves with some form of religion, which has maintained a much larger impact on the world than any one war. Similarly, Shakespeare’s numerous plays and poems are the crux of classical literature. The whole reason his writings have endured for so long and have been reproduced in so many different manners is because of their universal themes and motifs. Shakespeare understood the human mind and because of that his works have inspired and continue to inspire so many people. Write On! Nicholas Palmieri ‘12 6 Vignette 2012 Vignette 2012 37 The White Page The white page stares back at me; My mind wanders constantly I wonder what I should do. And it is driving me crazy. The words refuse to appear I swear that I’m trying hard But tomorrow the poem is due. And that I am not lazy. I sit before my laptop and The white page stares back at me. I try to find inspiration. But I wonder what I should do. Suddenly I’m overwhelmed About what can I write? By an unbelievable sensation.